County targets western pine beetle infestations in J. Neils Memorial Park

A western pine beetle infestation in J. Neils Park has affected as many as 100 trees, ranging from five inches in diameter to about 32.

County Forester Jennifer Nelson told the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on April 22 that she wants to remove the afflicted trees by the end of May at the latest. She is coordinating with state officials to mount a felling operation Memorial Day Weekend.

“I spent some time out there last week and we have about 95 to 100 trees that are infested, either dead, dying or soon to be dead,” Nelson told the board.

A well-known enemy of pine trees, particularly the ponderosa, the Dendroctonus brevicomis spend most of their lifespan in or beneath bark. During that time, the beetle drills through bark, eventually killing the tree.

In this region, the beetle produces two generations a year. Once they reach adulthood, the beetle typically flies to new trees, which means attacks generally occur in June and August, according the Forest Service.

Nelson’s Memorial Day target would put an end to the infestation before the beetles emerge and find new hosts, she said.

“They’re still in the trees,” she told commissioners. “The larvae are still there, but I need to get them out before June.”

The bulk of the infestation is located on the east end of the park, from Rodeo Drive to Northwood Avenue, Nelson said. The beetles also are present on the other side of the park, near the Frisbee golf course, she said.

Although the Forest Service may be interested in lending a hand, officials with the agency are still rescheduling summer work plans in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.

The state DNRC has agreed to spend a week of saw training in one area of the park, Nelson said, pending approval from the board.

“Absolutely,” said Commissioner Mark Peck (D-1). “That’s a great idea.”

Nelson also is in discussion with the DNRC to retain use of a wood chipper. Once the trees are felled, the bark must be removed and destroyed, she said.

“If we can get the trees out, then wherever those trees go, we need to get the bark off of them,” she said. “Otherwise, you’re just moving the problem.”

County commissioners asked that Nelson shop the timber around, if practicable. Peck and fellow commissioners Jerry Bennett (D-2) and Josh Letcher (D-3) rattled off the names of residents with sawmills that might be interested in the debarked lumber.

Nelson said she was open to handing the wood off as long as it is removed from the area. If it’s not taken, she planned to have it chipped and spread over the park. She is coordinating with other county officials to find local volunteers to help with cleanup.

The planned tree work also gives officials opportunity to remind homeowners along Post Street to abide by their property lines. Nelson noted that several abutting property owners have begun storing equipment and even erecting sheds on county land.

“What I’d like to do is … send a letter to the people who are property adjacent to the park [about the project] and at that point I could address the fact that if they have expanded on to county property, now would be a good time to move it off,” she said.

“So it doesn’t get destroyed in the process,” Bennett added.